Uralmash defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the season opener – 86:85 (18:29, 20:16, 20:14, 28:26).
Game progress
Loko forward Anton Kvitkovskikh scored the first points of the season. The hosts took the lead right from the start. This advantage was based on defense. The Krasnodar team dominated the rebounds in the first quarter (10-5), provoked the opponent to make 6 turnovers and scored many easy points by quickly transition. At the end of the first quarter, hosts lead lead became double digits – 25:14.
The guests got into the game in the second quarter, when were already 17 points behind – 23:40. The Yekaterinburg team adjusted offense, made less mistakes and didn’t let Loko to make easy shots. As a result, Loko offense lost its effectiveness and Uralmash began to rapidly cut the deficit. By halftime, the hosts lead was down to just 7 points – 45:38.
Key moment
At the end of the third quarter, after Tyrell Nelson free throws, Uralmash took the lead for the first time – 58:57. After that, lead changed several times. Unsurprisingly, the game went into clutch. First, Javonte Douglas put the guests ahead – 84:83. In the return possession, Kvitkovskikh restored Loko’s lead – 85:84. The guests had less than 3 seconds to save the game, and that was enough to make the winning shot. Garrett Nevels managed to shake off Patrick Miller’s defense and make a mid-range shot for the win – 86:85.
X-factor
Turnovers were a key factor for the guests in this game. In the first quarter, the Yekaterinburg team made 6 turnovers, which Loko turned into 10 points. Later on, Rostislav Vergun team was able to get the offense going. In the next 30 minutes of play, Uralmash lost the ball only 6 times, which did not let the opponent to make fast breaks. The guests were able to change the game with that.
Facts
Anton Kvitkovskikh scored career-high 27 points in this game. This was also the best performance by any player in VTB League history in season opener games.
Patrick Miller recorded the first double-double of the season. Loko guard scored 10 points and 11 assists.
Loko and Uralmash are the only teams that have 6 non-Russian players. 5 of them are considered foreign players (each team has 1 Belarusian player).
Loko coach Anton Yudin is the only newcomer coach in the VTB League at the start of this season. All other head coaches have already worked in the League (Yudin has only worked as an assistant in CSKA).
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Anton Kvitkovskikh (27), Keshus Robertson (11), Patrick Miller (10 + 11 assists), Vince Hunter (10), Kirill Temirov (10)
Uralmash: Garrett Nevels (23 + 6 assists), Timofey Gerasimov (13), Yauheni Beliankou (11), Tyrell Nelson (9 + 13 rebounds)
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban: October 2 at home against Enisey
Uralmash: October 3 at home against MBA-MAI.
